Infant support device

ABSTRACT

An infant support includes a flexible surface which has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a pair of openings thru which an infants&#39; legs are inserted. The second portion has a smaller pair of openings. A first connector is attached to the first portion adjacent to the first pair of openings and extending in the longitudinal direction. A second connector is attached to the flexible surface and extending in the transverse direction. An elongated strap can be selectively attached to the first connector and the second connector. When the strap is connected to the first connector, two positions result. A first position is one in which the strap extends through the second pair of openings. A second position is one in which the strap extends over a support structure. When the strap is connected to the second connector, the strap is located only in the second position.

BACKGROUND

Various types of infant support apparatus have been devised that enable an adult to carry an infant, to lay an infant in a support structure or control the movement of a child.

A first type includes harnesses adapted for wearers to carry an infant. These harnesses include a number of straps that extend around the wearer and connect to a flexible holding portion.

One example of such a harness includes an adjustable strap extending around the waist of an adult and connected to the base of a flexible holding portion. Another adjustable strap extends from the top of the flexible holding portion, around the shoulder of an adult and connects to the other top side of the flexible holding portion. As such, an infant sits in the pocket formed by the flexible holding portion, the connection of the straps and the front-side of an adult. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,873)

Another example of such a harness includes a flexible pad to which two shoulder straps are connected. The shoulder straps connect at the front of the flexible pad, extend around the shoulder of an adult, cross behind the adult and extend around the front of the adult to connect to the bottom portion of the flexible pad. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,576)

This type of infant support apparatus only allows for an adult to hold an infant in a sitting or semi-sitting position. The harness is not equipped to allow an infant to lay down or for the infant to be secured to another support device other than an adult.

A second type includes harnesses adapted for children which allow an adult to hold straps connected to the harness thereby controlling the movement of a child.

An example of such a harness includes a flexible pad with cut-out side portions. The cut-out side portions form the openings for the insertion of a child's legs when the pad is folded. A first strap extends around the folded pad and around the waist of the child. A second set of straps are connected to the top portion of the folded pad, extend around the shoulders of the child and then extend upwards to form handles. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0018163)

This type of infant support apparatus only allows for an adult to control the movement of a child and does not allow an infant to sit or lay while being connected to a support structure.

A third type includes a holding apparatus adapted to allow an infant to be constrained within a stroller or infant car seat and then removed via a flexible carrier.

An example of such an apparatus is a flexible carrier which includes a flexible pad and an extendable strap extending from the bottom portion of the pad to the top portion of pad. Another set of straps extend around the waist of the infant, around the infants' shoulders, between the infants' legs and are secured together at a center location. The extendible strap functions as the handle whereby an adult can carry the flexible carriers with the prone infant. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0138826)

This type of infant support device, while allowing the infant to lay within the carrier, requires the adult to use his/her hands to carry the prone infant.

None of the above types of infant supports allow for an infant to comfortably sit and/or lay on the lap of an adult or other support structure without the adult having to hold the baby with his or her hands.

SUMMARY

The infant support described herein provides a more comfortable sitting and laying apparatus for both an infant and an adult. The infant support allows the infant to sit or lay on the lap of an adult while allowing the infant to be more secure without the adult having to hold the infant with his/her hands. Additionally, the infant support allows the infant to sit alone in a seat or chair, such as an airline seat, without the assistance of an adult and allows the infant to be secured to the seat.

The infant support preferably includes a foldable, pliable pad covered by an outer pre-shrunk, washable fabric. The pad has a number of strategically placed openings at each end. At one end, two openings allow for an infant's legs to fit through. At the other end, smaller holes allow for the insertion of a detachable, extendible strap. Additional shorter straps are located in two places: on the long side of the pad which can be attached to the detachable, extendible strap; and on the short side adjacent to the larger openings which can also be attached to the detachable, extendible strap. The detachable, extendible strap is equipped at each end with a receiving clip; whereas, the additional shorter straps are equipped with insertion clips on one end.

In one embodiment, the detachable, extendible strap is connected to the shorter straps located on the long side of the pad and is placed around a support structure such as the neck of a caretaker or a seatback. The pad forms a laying surface whereby an infant can lay down while being secured to a support structure.

In another embodiment, the detachable, extendible strap is connected to the shorter straps located on the short side of the pad adjacent to the larger openings and is placed around a support structure. In this position, the invention essentially forms a U-shaped structure whereby the infants legs are inserted in the larger openings and the attached strap is placed around a support structure. The pad forms a sitting surface for an infant.

In even another embodiment, the detachable, extendible strap is connected to one shorter strap located on the short side of the pad adjacent to the larger openings, inserted in one of the smaller holes, optimally placed around a support structure, inserted back through one of the smaller holes and then attached to another shorter strap located on the short side of the pad adjacent to the larger openings. Again, in this position, the invention essentially forms a U-shaped structure whereby the infants legs are inserted in the larger openings and the attached strap is placed around a support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an infant support (inner surface), showing the flexible pad in a laid-out state with the detachable, extendible strap not attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an infant support, showing the detachable, extendible strap connected to the first connector in a second position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of FIG. 2 around a support structure with an infant in the infant support;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an infant support, showing the detachable, extendible strap connected to the first connector in a first position;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of FIG. 5 around a support structure;

FIG. 7 a is a back view of FIG. 5, showing the detachable, extendible strap connected to the first connector in a first position and not attached to a support structure; FIG. 7 b is a back view of FIG. 5, showing the detachable, extendible strap connected to the first connector in a first position and attached to a support structure

FIG. 8 is a front view of an infant support, showing the detachable, extendible strap connected to the second connector in a second position;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of FIG. 8 around a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the inner surface of the flexible pad in a laid-out state before connection has been made with the detachable, elongated strap.

The infant support includes a rectangular pad 1 which is both flexible and foldable. Both the inner padding and the outer pre-shrunk material of the pad 1 are washable. The pad 1 is referenced by horizontally defined quadrants including a first quadrant 7, a second quadrant 8, a third quadrant 9 and a fourth quadrant 10.

A first pair of openings 3 are located in the first quadrant 7 and are sized so that each opening 3 can receive an infant's leg. The second pair of openings 5 are located in the fourth quadrant 10 and are sized so that each opening 5 can receive the detachable, extendible strap 11. These openings 5 are smaller than the first pair of openings 3. The first pair of openings 3 and the second pair of openings 5 extend from the front of the pad to the back of the pad.

The pad is defined by two longitudinal sides 12 and two transverse sides 14.

The first strap 16 and the second strap 18 are located on the longitudinal side 12 of the pad 1 and extend in the transverse direction. The first 16 and second 18 straps may be defined as the second connectors. Each strap 16, 18 is fixedly attached to the pad 1 at one end 20, 22 and the other end of the strap provides for an insertion clip 24, 26. The first strap 16 is located in either the first quadrant 7 (not shown) or the second quadrant 8. The second strap 18 is located in either the third quadrant 9 or the fourth quadrant 10 (not shown).

The third strap 28 and the fourth strap 30 are located on the transverse side 14 in the first quadrant 7 of the pad 1 adjacent to the first pair of openings and extend in the longitudinal direction. The third 28 and fourth 30 straps may be defined as the first connectors. Each strap 28, 30 is fixedly attached to the pad 1 at one end 32, 34 and the other end of the strap provides for an insertion clip 36, 38.

The detachable, extendible strap 11 provides for receiving clips 40,42 at each end. The receiving clips 40, 42 accept the insertion clips 24, 26, 36, or 38 and allow for the attachment of the detachable, extendible strap 11 to either the first 16 and second 18 straps or the third 28 and fourth 30 straps. The strap 11 can be adjusted in length so as to accommodate different sizes of support structures.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment where the detachable, extendible strap is connected to the third and fourth straps, allowing for the strap to be placed around a support structure. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the FIG. 2 embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 around the neck of an adult (other support structures, i.e. around the lower back of an adult 52 or around a seating apparatus, are not shown) with an infant 54 sitting in the infant support.

The insertion clip 36 of the third strap 28 and the insertion clip 38 of the fourth strap 30 are attached to the receiving clips 40, 42 of the detachable, extendible strap 11 and form the first set of engaged portions 44, 46 (i.e. a buckle, fastener, etc). The detachable, extendible strap 11 can then be placed around the neck of the adult 52. The strap 11 when connected to the third 28 and fourth 30 straps and extending only over a support structure is defined as the second position.

In this position, the pad 1 forms a U-shaped structure. The third 9 and fourth 10 quadrants fold up to form one substantially straight portion of the U-shape (second portion 48 of the infant support). The outer surface of the second portion interacts with the upper body of the adult 52 and the inner surface of the second portion 48 interacts with the back of the infant 54. The first 7 and second 8 quadrants form the opposite side and the base of the U-shape, respectively (first portion 50 of the infant support). The inner surface of the second quadrant 8 interacts with the infant 54 to form the seating portion of the infant support. The outer surface of the second quadrant 8 interacts with the lap of the adult 54. The first pair of openings 3 in the first quadrant 7 form the openings through which the infant's 54 legs are inserted. The inner surface of the first quadrant 7 portion interacts with the infant's 54 legs and the outer surface does not interact with the adult 52.

This U-shaped formation allows for the infant 54 to be in a sitting position, wherein the third 9 and fourth 10 quadrants form the backrest (second portion 48) of the infant support, the second quadrant 8 forms the seating portion of the infant support and the first quadrant 7 accepts the infant's 54 legs. The first pair of openings 3 are sized so as to receive the infant's 54 legs while at the same time securing the infant 54 in the infant support.

The strap 11 may extend around the neck (illustrated in FIG. 4) or lower back (not shown) of the adult 52 or the top or middle portion of a seating apparatus (not shown). The extendibility of the strap 11 allows for the infant support to be secured to different sizes of support structures. It also allows the strap 11 to easily fit on the support structure and then tightened to secure the infant support and the infant 54 to the support structure. The adjustment of the strap length can more easily occur at either end of the strap 11 adjacent to the engaged portions 44, 46.

The connection of the third 28 and fourth 30 straps to only the detachable, extendible strap 11, allows for a secure but more flexible infant support.

This embodiment functions to allow the infant 54 to sit on the lap of an adult 52 or alone on a support structure without the adult 52 having to use his/her hands to hold the infant 54. The infant support safely secures the infant 54 to the support structure; thus, allowing the infant 54 and the adult 52 to be more comfortable.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where the detachable, extendible strap extends through the second pair of openings and is connected to the third and fourth straps, allowing for the strap to be placed around a support structure in a different manner than is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 around a seating apparatus (as stated above, other support structures, not illustrated in this figure, may include the neck and lower back of an adult) with an infant sitting in the infant support. FIGS. 7 a and b show the embodiment of FIG. 5 from the rear perspective; FIG. 7 a shows the infant support when not attached to the seating apparatus and FIG. 7 b shows the infant support when attached to the seating apparatus.

Like the first embodiment, in this position, the pad 1 forms a U-shaped structure. The third 9 and fourth 10 quadrants fold up to form one substantially straight portion of the U-shape (second portion 48 of the infant support). The outer surface of the second portion interacts with the backrest of a seating apparatus 56 and the inner surface of the second portion interacts with the back of the infant 54. The first 7 and second 8 quadrants form the opposite side and the base of the U-shape, respectively (first portion 50 of the infant support). The inner surface of the second quadrant 8 interacts with the infant 54 to form the seating portion of the infant support. The outer surface of the second quadrant 8 interacts with the seat portion of the seating apparatus 56. The first pair of openings 3 in the first quadrant 7 form the openings through which the infant's 54 legs are inserted. The inner surface of the first quadrant 7 portion interacts with the infant's 54 legs and the outer surface does not interact with the seating apparatus 56.

This U-shaped formation allows for the infant 54 to be in a sitting position, wherein the third 9 and fourth 10 quadrants form the backrest (second portion 48) of the infant support, the second quadrant forms the seating portion of the infant support and the first quadrant accepts the infant's 54 legs. The first pair of openings 3 are sized so as to receive the infant's 54 legs while at the same time securing the infant 54 in the infant support.

One end of the detachable, extendible strap 11 is inserted through one of the second pair of openings 5 from the inner surface to the outer surface of the pad 1. The strap 11 optimally extends around the back of a support structure (illustrated in FIG. 7 b, the support structure is a seating apparatus) and is then inserted through the other of the second pair of openings 5 from the outer surface to the inner surface of the pad. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, the portion of the strap 11 provided behind the pad 1 does not include either receiving clip 40, 42 when both second pair of openings 5 have been engaged by the strap 11. The strap 11 when connected to the third 28 and fourth 30 straps and extending through the second pair of openings 5 is defined as the first position.

After the detachable, extendible strap 11 extends through the second pair of openings 5, the insertion clip 36 of the third strap 28 and the insertion clip 38 of the fourth strap 30 can be attached to the receiving clips 40, 42 of the detachable, extendible strap 11 to form the first set of engaged portions 44, 46 (i.e. a buckle, fastener, etc). Alternatively, one engaged portion, i.e. 44, can be formed first while the other end of the strap 42 extends through the second pair of openings 5 to form the second engaged portion, i.e. 46.

The portion of the strap 11 behind the second portion 48 of the pad 1 functions to secure the infant support to the seating apparatus (or the lower back of an adult).

The extendibility of the strap 11 allows for the infant support to be secured to different sizes of support structures. It also allows the strap 11 to easily fit on the support structure and then tightened to secure the infant support and the infant 54 to the support structure. The adjustment of the strap length can more easily occur at either end of the strap 11 adjacent to the engaged portions 44, 46.

The engagement of the second pair of openings 5, in addition to, the connection of the third 28 and fourth 30 straps to the detachable, extendible strap 11, allow for a more secure but less flexible infant support than the infant support illustrated in FIG. 2.

This embodiment functions to allow the infant 54 to sit on the lap of an adult 52 or alone on a support structure without the adult 52 having to use his/her hands to hold the infant 54. The infant support safely secures the infant 54 to the support structure; thus, allowing the infant 54 and the adult 52 to be more comfortable.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment where the detachable, extendible strap is connected to the first and second straps, allowing for the detachable, extendible strap to be placed around a support structure. FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 around the neck of an adult (other support structures, i.e. around the lower back of an adult or around a seating apparatus, are not shown) with the infant laying in the infant support.

The insertion clip 24 of the first strap 16 and the insertion clip 26 of the second strap 18 are attached to the receiving clips 40, 42 of the detachable, extendible strap 11 and form the second set of engaged portions 58, 60 (i.e. a buckle, fastener, etc.). The detachable, extendible strap 11 can then be placed around the adult 52 to secure the infant support.

In this position, the pad forms a flat laying surface wherein the first 7, second 8, third 9 and fourth 10 quadrants lay flat. The longitudinal side 12 of the pad lays lengthwise across the support structure. The inner surface of both the first portion 50 (first quadrant 7 and second quadrant 8) and the second portion 48 (third quadrant 9 and fourth quadrant 10) interact with the infant's 54 body (i.e. the inner surface is the surface on which the infant lies). The outer surface of the pad 1 interacts with the support device in varying degrees depending on the size of the support device. The detachable, extendible strap 11 when connected to form the second set of engaging portions 58, 60 extends over the support structure (i.e. the neck of an adult (shown) or the lower back of an adult (not shown) or a seating apparatus (not shown)). Thus, a secure infant support structure is formed wherein the detachable, extendible strap 11 connected to the straps 16, 18 on one side of the pad, which is then placed around the structure, functions to secure an infant in a prone position.

The extendibility of the strap 11 allows for the infant support to be secured to different sizes of support structures. It also allows the strap 11 to easily fit on the support structure and then tightened to secure the infant support and the infant 54 to the support structure. The adjustment of the strap length can more easily occur at either end of the strap 11 adjacent to the engaged portions 58, 60.

This embodiment functions to allow the infant 54 to lay on the lap of an adult 52 or alone on a support structure without the adult 52 having to use his/her hands to hold the infant 54. The infant support safely secures the infant 54 to the support structure; thus, allowing the infant 54 and the adult 52 to be more comfortable. 

1. An infant support comprising a flexible surface defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction; a first portion of the flexible surface having a first pair of openings each sized to receive one leg of an infant; a second portion of the flexible surface having a second pair of openings smaller than the first pair of openings; a first connector attached to the flexible surface, adjacent to the first pair of openings and extending in the longitudinal direction; a second connector attached to the flexible surface and extending in the transverse direction; and an elongated strap of flexible material selectively attachable to one of the first and second connectors, the strap when connected to the first connector being located in one of two positions, a first position in which the strap extends through the second pair of openings, and a second position in which the strap extends over a support structure, the strap when connected to the second connector being located only in the second position.
 2. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the flexible surface is a fabric.
 3. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the flexible surface is rectangular.
 4. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is attached to a transverse edge of the flexible surface.
 5. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is attached to a longitudinal edge of the flexible surface.
 6. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a pair of connectors each being located adjacent one of the openings in the first pair of openings.
 7. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a pair of connectors, one of the pair of connectors being attached to the first portion of the flexible surface and the other connector being attached to the second portion of the flexible surface.
 8. An infant support according to claim 1, wherein the elongated strap is adjustable in length.
 9. An infant support comprising: a rectangular body including a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant, the rectangular body defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the quadrants defined in the transverse direction, and the body having a longitudinal side and a transverse side; a first pair of openings located in the first quadrant, the first pair of openings each sized to receive one leg of an infant; a second pair of openings located in the fourth quadrant, the second pair of openings being smaller than the first pair of openings; a first strap having a first insertion clip at one end, the first strap located in the first or second quadrant and on the longitudinal side of the body, the first strap extending in the transverse direction; a second strap having a second insertion clip at one end, the second strap located in the third or fourth quadrant and on the longitudinal side of the body, the second strap extending in the transverse direction; at least one strap having at least one insertion clip at one end, the at least one strap located in the first quadrant and on the transverse side of the body, the at least one strap extending in the longitudinal direction; and an extendible strap of flexible material having two ends, each end having a receiving clip selectively attached to one of the first insertion clip, the second insertion clip and the at least one insertion clip, wherein the receiving clips are attached to the at least one insertion clip in one of two positions, a first position in which the strap extends through the second pair of openings, and a second position in which the strap extends over a support structure, wherein the receiving clips are attached to the first insertion clip and the second insertion clip in the second position.
 10. An infant support according to claim 9, wherein the rectangular body is flexible.
 11. An infant support according to claim 9, wherein the first and second quadrant define a first portion and the third and fourth quadrant define a second portion.
 12. An infant support according to claim 11, wherein the first portion folds over the second portion.
 13. An infant support according to claim 9, wherein the rectangular body comprises an inner padding and an outer fabric cover.
 14. An infant support according to claim
 9. wherein the support structure is a seating apparatus or an adult.
 15. An infant support according to claim 9, wherein the extendible strap is longer than the first strap, the second strap and the at least one strap. 